Wild Betta....falx And Imbellis

[LilyRose Tank]

I read somewhere that B.falx and B.imbellis are both friendly species that can live with others....of the same sp. is this true? I found a photo of a copper B.imbellis and I'm in loive. Can anyone giveme experiences of keeping many of these in one tank....I have a 64L tank that I am thinking of re starting...and I love bettas...and would love to have a tank full ( say 10) in the same tank ...is this possible?

 

[squiggley]

http/www.ibcbettas.org/smp/species/imbellis.html

http/www.ibcbettas.org/smp/species/falx.html

 

[Tolak]

Have a look at the IBC's Species maintenance program; http/smp.ibcbettas.org/articles/wild_bettas.html

B. falx; http/www.ibcbettas.org/smp/species/falx.html

B. imbellis; http/www.ibcbettas.org/smp/species/imbellis.html

I'm keeping raja & ocellata in a trio & group respectively ATM, with no issues. I have a trio of simplex in individual 2.5's, and was just working on tanks to open up larger quarters for the trio.

I don't think I would go with as many as 10 of either species you mentioned in a tank that size, a couple of pairs maybe, that's it. I was opening up a couple of 20 gallon tanks for the trios today, the group of 8 ocellata reside in a 55 gallon.

 

[OldMan47]

When you get right down to it, far more of the wild type non-splendens bettas are able to live together well than you would think. Even splendens was bred for centuries before becoming as aggressive as you find today. By breeding for fighting ability, the original breeders made our modern fish difficult to care for in any numbers.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

thankyou very much, Ihave had a look at the links and I am in love with B.Smaragdina and B. imbellis....both are real beauties, would i be able to house 6...3 of each in the same tank? If so I shall start researching where to get them from

 

[OldMan47]

I think I would choose one or the other species. It just always seems to work out better with closely related fish in general in my experience. I have never kept either fish but found a Betta pugnax at a club auction yesterday, so maybe I will soon have some experience to speak from. I am expecting to be adding it to my big community tank for now, since it is almost 2 1/2 inches long and I have no other pugnax to keep it company.

 

[Jonathangerous]

Picta complex species tend to be pretty mellow. 10 is a bit much for your tank size. In a tank as such, I would at most put 4 males and 2 females. Imbellis tend to be even less quarrelsome than falx, but as a rule, bubblenesters need more space and seclusion for spawning purposes, so even fewer for them.

 

[OldMan47]

I am now hoping to source some albimarginata or some falx but have yet to find any. I really like the way both of those mouth brooders look. As happens to most fish enthusiasts, after a while the fish we really know are not as much fun as a new challenge.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

well my 64L is all setup and i am waiting for the 6 new arrivals within the next week I hope (excited)

 

[OldMan47]

Congrats LilyRose. I have set up my tank for B simplex and am enjoying them but I must admit that I learn more from them every day than I knew when I brought them home.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

well they are home, they are tiny and colourless as they are juveniles, it'll be lovely to see their colours develop. I am awaiting a delivery of plants off of ebay. so it should all plants central when they are installed, for them to play hide and seek!

 

[Lacuna]

I would love to see some pictures of this, I really like the natural looking bettas. Also be interested to know what their personalities are like compared to betta splendens.

 

[Gill]

Imbellis are great little fish, more timid than other mainstream species IME.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

so just to update

its 2 months since i had them, and I have lost 2 of the 6, I dont know how, they dissappeared, and tank is fully covered

 

[OldMan47]

Those are some very pretty fish Lilyrose. I am glad they are doing so well for you. I have a nice simplex female but my male starved to death trying to carry too many egg clutches one after the other. They simply will not eat when they are carrying eggs in their mouth.